For MIDI software, I think I’m sold to “Magix Music Maker”. This is what I’ll probably get. This is one software that you don’t need all that expensive MIDI equipment with. You just install and create music with the tip of your fingers on your PC keyboard. If you know how the notes and chords sounds you can create music, in any style and genre easily. This software is cheap, $50.00. I’ve been looking at this software for a while anyways. This is probably the only MIDI software you can create music that almost sounds close to the real thing. I’ve been listening to track examples online and this might be decent MIDI software. I plan to order this software soon, maybe later this Spring when I get the extra cash for it.

I want to put band backup behind my songs. Plus, making MIDI music will be fantastic practice for soloing lead improvisations. That’s another reason why I want MIDI software for improv practice.

http://www.magix.com/us/music-maker/

Kev

In order for me to use MIDI with Pro Tools, what I would need is a MIDI I/O driver for my computer, a MIDI mixer, and a MIDI Keyboard. All that stuff would cost a lot of cash, so I wouldn’t be able to afford all that stuff for now. I’ll get that stuff somewhere down the road, but not right away. So for now, I’ll just get some other MIDI software that doesn’t need to require all that equipment.

There’s plenty of other MIDI software out there that I can mix MIDI and Audio tracks with. Midi software like “Band in a Box”, “Garageband”, etc. All that stuff. You don’t really need to use Pro Tools for MIDI if you’re not good with that stuff like me. Just use Pro Tools for recording audio your voice and guitar.

I plan on buying MIDI software soon, I just need to find a good one. ProTools is complicated stuff with MIDI.

Kev

So most of today, I spent some trying to install some plug-ins for Pro Toos. You know, “plug-ins” which are additional software and gadgets for your pro-tools. So I installed them to ProTools, as I launched pro Tools an activation screen came up with all of the plug-ins I installed. I shouldn’t have to pay for the “plug-ins” in Pro Tools ’cause they came for free with the Pro Tools software itself. So in order to use the plug-ins for Pro Tools, you need to activate with the Ilok. So I went to the Ilok website to transfer the activation, but I can’t do that just yet, ’cause they want you to pay for a $25.00 fee in order to transfer. Once I pay that fee, and transfer, then I’ll be able to use the plug-ins definitely. 25 dollars is not that bad, so I’ll pay it when I get the chance.

I need to use the plug-in for the “Noise Reduction” software they have. I need noise reduction to get rid of background noises in vocals. Hell maybe there will be a free one online somewhere.

I’m just getting things ready and set up before I start recording songs.

Kev

Messed around with Pro Tools today. I figured out the problem of why my guitar was sounding like shit through the recording. It was because I had the M-Audio interface and speakers both plugged in at the same time. So I just unplugged the speakers and used headphones on the M-Audio. The guitar records perfectly clean, with no background hiss or nothing. The guitar sounds like a perfect studio recording.

However, even if I can get the microphone to work good, there is a lot of hissing noise in the background. I would like the vocals to sound studio perfect, I’m sure there is way to do it but I’ll figure it out. Maybe has something to do with input/output stuff and maybe has something to do with “noise reduction” feature or might have to mess around with the equalizer to help get rid of the hiss.

I’ve been working on riff ideas and stuff. Will start writing lyrics again too. Pro Tools is getting easier and coming back to me. I will record with a “click track” from this point on so I can play in time. I want to try my best and record more professionally my own way.

Maybe later this Spring/Summer, I’ll start getting new songs on the net. When I do though, I’ll probably upload them to this blog here first, then I’ll make a facebook fanpage to upload them to as well. Yep, I refuse to go back to myspace ’cause I hardly ever touch that site much anymore. Myspace is the worst thing for music and I find facebook to be a better promoting tool.

Kev

I think I know what the problem is why I can’t do anything on facebook. There is this big “error on page” thing blocking me from doing anything. I can log in the site fine but can’t post walls, comments, etc. A javascript kind of a thing. I had to go back to IE7 so Pro Tools can work again. So I guess it is my end of the computer that’s causing this. If I get rid of this “Error on Page”, then I’ll be able to use facebook again. I’ll figure it out.

Kev

Edit to add: I figured it out, it’s all set. It was very simple. All you have to do is clear the cache by deleting cookies and temporary internet files, so everytime “Error on Page” comes up, you keep doing that. Facebook is all good now.

It seems that Facebook may not be working for some people since they put that new privacy feature on. I couldn’t do anything on Facebook yesterday and today. Putting on that new feature might have messed up the servers for some users accounts. I thought it was my computer, but noticed other people have the same problems. Hope the FB staff get it fixed soon.

Kev

Edit to add: It seems that my facebook profile might be under maintenance by the staff, it’s been like this ever since they added the new privacy feature yesterday, so I imagine they must be fixing things up. Hope they get it fixed today. I can log into my facebook page fine, can see the walls, but can’t post new wall statuses, can’t post in other people’s comments. Etc. Sucks, but I’m sure it’ll work either today or tomorrow, but the sooner the better.

In Pro Tools, I actually got the microphone and electric guitar to pick up in the input/outputs mixer in Pro Tools just fine. Only problem is though, the electric guitar sounds like shit through it. I’m trying to get a good clean sound without any staticky kind of noises. I may have to fool around with panning and all these other producing gadgets to get a cleaner sound. Once I figure out how to get a clean studio like sound with the electric guitar in pro tools, I’m going to start recording songs. I also figured out how to get the click track to play while I’m recording, so that’s all set. I’m just trying to get the hang of things so I can get used to Pro Tools again before I start recording music. I’m looking forward to start making music again.

Need a new batch of originals. I’m sure my supporters out there are looking forward to new music from me and it’s about time to start making some. I will still write dark songs…I have a bunch of shit to get off my chest by ranting about what’s going on in the world of politics. Kind of like a Rage Against the Machine, Springsteen and Neil Young type of thing. Plan to follow the footsteps of my musical heroes.

Kev

So I was messing around with Pro Tools most of this afternoon. Getting the hang of things and remembering stuff. I can get the microphone input/outputs working correctly, the mic sounds good, but the guitar I haven’t figured it out yet, but I’ll figure it all out when I mess with it some more later this week.

I don’t have to worry about buying some separate MIDI software, ’cause the ProTools I have now already have MIDI stuff with it. So once I learn how to do all this MIDI stuff with Pro Tools, I’ll be able to create band back up music behind my guitar and voice.

I plan to study Pro Tools more and to learn how to use the program better. I don’t need to spend thousands and thousands of dollars at a Music School just to learn how to use Pro Tools there, when I can be self taught at home.

I’ll be messing with Pro Tools every day now.

Kev

So today, I finally got Pro Tools all set up and running successfully. It was very easy as I didn’t think it would be. What I had to do was download the M-Audio driver from their website, install it, and follow instructions on how to set everything up in their FAQ page. Now Pro Tools is working perfectly fine again. I haven’t used this program in such a long time so it’ll take me a while to get used to it again.

From this point on when I record songs in my Pro Tools, I’m gonna use a click track to keep up in perfect timing. You can become a better songwriter and musician if you know how to keep up in time and a “click track” will help. I never really used a click track in my past songs, I’ll admit that, but I’m gonna start. What if you’re gonna have other musicians put in band backup instruments behind your playing? That’s why you need to use a click track. If you’re playing out of timing then other musicians won’t be able to play along with you on the recording.

I plan to write new songs again. Electric guitar songs this time. I’ve been fooling around with a lot of rock riff ideas that I want to record down so I can remember them.

Kev

Well, look like I got onto him about his travelling adventures too much that it finally got him to write why he left:

Here’s what he have to say now:

http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendId=61560782&blogId=531310172

Iaz continues to be the subject of discussion on why the artist left the “Lata” It isn’t like I didn’t give the music a college try and then some. Any talk of other people pleading that I return to an area I actually had an loathing attitude for just makes me feel miserable. You ask why? What is so special about a county that contains one of the worst villages in my opinion. What is so special about a county that contains one of the worst roads in it. Wasn’t it discussed with the “Preservation Videos” how lousy that area was.

The villages and roads aren’t that great, I can agree with you on that one. When you live in a town where you have close family and friends. That is more important. Like your Mom for example, is more important than music and more important than anything else you like to do. If you want to stay far away from Upstate NY, never step foot in it again, that is not good karma being away from your Mom like that. I’m sure she misses you terribly and I can absolutely see right there, you don’t even care. When you have a family that cares for you, NEVER make them feel like you don’t exist to them. You’ll regret it down the road, trust me.

Let’s not forget the dredging thing going on. If the area would sign an entertainment deal with the “Lata” and work to bring in entertainment then it could become something. With the recent closure of the “Catskill Game Farm” and even several years ago of “Kaydeross Park” the “Lata” is in an area that on the entertainment side of things is lifeless and without transit that is decent is even worse.

There is plenty of entertainment around Upstate NY. You just gotta look around. You also don’t need to move to a city with better transit just because you don’t drive, this is coming from someone who don’t drive.

I really did try with the music in the “Lata” and was paid $60.00 at one gig and that’s when I felt like things were going the right direction. It seemed like I would start to head in the right direction in the “Lata” and someone would stop my forward speed. I was stuck mostly playing Open Mics in the area and recording tracks that went no where for most of last year. I was hardly given any incentive for my talent and that sent me across the line.

You can try with the music in Pittsburgh, Canada, Los Angeles, Nashville, etc. where ever you go…you will get the same playing a few paid gigs and playing mostly open mics. What about the times that I helped you in the music scene. Got you a few gigs as a return the favor of you supporting my music. If you don’t start promoting yourself good enough, if you don’t start sending your demos out to venues, you’re never gonna get anywhere. Gigs and super stardom don’t fall in your lap, man…but nope, you are always, “me, me, me, me,”, all the time. You love yourself that much, do ya?

When people act all concerned that I’m out of state it annoys me because where were you when I was performing in the “Lata” struggling with lack of sleep getting home late at night all because I wanted to perform or see this band or that artist. The attitudes caught up in the “Lata” and I could sense it that no matter how many Open Mics or talks of playing here the area was not going to let me advance and that’s why I’m upset with that area.

Wow, upset at an entire area over people’s opinions? You’re being a bit paranoid are ya? NEWS Flash – nobody really cares.

 I lost so much money doing what I really cared to at least here in “Pennsylvania” I’m doing this on my terms despite what the people in the “Lata” want me to do. But the attitude kicks the “Lata” in the face.  At least here in “Pittsburgh” I have a chance once again to head to the next level and maybe to find a decent girlfriend and be freaking happy for once if you think I was happy in the “Lata” then you were wrong.

There’s a lot of people who aren’t happy in this um, “Lata”, but we stay here ’cause we have family and friends that we care about that we don’t leave behind. Good luck on getting to the “next level”. One day you’ll be complaining about Pittsburgh in your blog whenever things don’t go your way, it’s only a matter of time.

Maybe I was content because I watched all my favorite tv shows but I was really miserable there and those who really understand the “Iaz” would know I wanted something better at the start of last year.  People needed to like really be appreciative of my talent and “Lataville” would give me the cold shoulder a lot of the times like people would talk to me but come across as one sided. Even in Open Mics in Caffe Lena people didn’t get what I was about. They didn’t like really appreciate the talent I had when I hit Open Mic. When you really are appreciative of an artist you back them in several ways instead I felt like another name on the Open Mic list instead of as a talented music artist that could of headed to the next level.

It’s just an open mic, dude. Nobody has to get anything of what an “open mic” artist have to be about. Like I said plenty of times, no matter where you go you will get that same “cold shoulder” attitude at every open mic or gig you go to. No matter the city. Not everybody is gonna think you’re god’s gift to music, Iaz. Get the hell over yourself dude. You take yourself too seriously. You’re like a retarded version of Kanye West but much worse. You think your talent is important and great to you. Kind of like that Rayford Faulkner guy.

Keep it up, brother, this is the kind of stuff that professional booking agents or clubs don’t look for. It’ll be a turn off for them and it’s unprofessional.

Kev